Arithmancy
(Sometimes called wrongly Arithmomancy). Divination by means of numbers. The Greeks examined the number and value of the letters in the names of two combatants, and predicted that he whose name contained most letters, or letters of the greatest value, would be the victor. It was by means of this science that some diviners foretold that Hector would be overcome by Achilles. The Chaldeans, who also practised it, divided their alphabet into three parts, each composed of seven letters, which they attributed to the seven planets, in order to make predictions from them. The Platonists and the Pythagoreans were also strongly addicted to this method of divination, which comprehends also a part of the Jewish Kabala.
Only in An Encyclopaedia of Occultism
Arithmetical Complement
that which a number wants to make it reach the next highest decimal denomination. Thus the arithmetical complement of 4 is 6, for 4+6 are = 10, and that of 642 is 358, because 642 + 358 are = 1,000. The arithmetical complement of a logarithm is what it wants to make it reach 10. ARITHMETICAL MEAN. (1) The number, whether it be an integer or a fraction, which is exactly intermediate between two others. Thus, 5 is the arithmetical mean between 2 and 8; for 2+3 are = 5, and 5+3 are =8. To find such a mean add the numbers together and divide their sum by 2; thus, 2+8=10, and 10÷2=5. (2) Any one of several numbers in an arithmetical ratio interposed between two other numbers. Thus, if 6, 9 and 12 be interposed between 3 and 15, any one of then may be called an arithmetical mean between these two numbers.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
Arithmetical Progression
a series of numbers increasing or diminishing uniformly by the same number. If they increase, the arithmetical progression is said to be ascending, and if they decrease, descending. Thus the series 3, 6, 9, 12, 15 is an ascending arithmetical progression, mounting up by the continued addition of 3; and the series 8, 6, 4, 2 is a descending one, falling regularly by 2.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
Arithmetical Proportion
the relation existing between four numbers, of which the first is as much greater or less than the second as the third is of the fourth; the equality of two differences or arithmetical ratios. In such cases the sum of the extremes is that of the means. ARI THORGILSSON (ä-rë tōr'gilsson), the father of Icelandic literature medium in writing his "Islendingabók, دو a concise history of Iceland from its settlement (about 870) until 1120. This work was finished between 1134 and 1138.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
Arius
the founder of Arianism. See ARIAN.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
Arjish Dagh
the loftiest peak of the peninsula of Asia Minor, at the western extremity of the Anti-Taurus Range, 13,150 feet; an exhausted volcano; on the N. and N. E. slopes are extensive glaciers.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
Arkansas City
a city of Kansas, in Cowley co. It is on the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fé, the Missouri Pacific, the Kansas Southwestern, the Midland Valley, and the St. Louis and San Francisco railroads. The city has an Indian chool, a training college, a library, and other public ic buildings. A canal connectsch ing the Arkansas and Walnut rivers furnishes water power for manufacturing. It is the center of an important agricultural and stock-raising community, and also has manufactures of lumber, carriages, and creamery products. Pop. (1910) 7,518; (1920) 11,253.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
Arkansas River
a tributary of the Mississippi, rising in central Colorado and flowing E. into Kansas. It then flows S. E. across Oklahoma and diagonally across Arkansas. It is about 2,000 miles long, and is navigable to Wichita, Kan., a distance of about 650 miles. ARKANSAS, UNIVERSITY OF, a coeducational institution organized in 1872, with academic and technical departments in Fayetteville, law and medical departments in Little Rock, and normal school for colored students in Pine Bluff; reported at the end of 1919: Professors and instructors, 90; students, 720; president, John Clinton Farrell. island of Rügen, in the Baltic.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
Arkona
the N. E. promontory of the of this city. The Emperor Constantine embellished Arles, and his son Constantine II. was born here. In 855 it became the capital of the Arletan kingdom, which was, in 933, united to that of Burgundy. Pop. about 17,500.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
Arles
a city of France, in the department of Bouches-du-Rhone, on the Rhone, 44 miles W. N. W. of Marseilles. It is principally notable as having been an important town when Gaul was invaded by Cæsar. It afterward became a Roman colony, and was long a rich and prosperous city. The Roman amphitheater, capable of accommodating 30,000 spectators, yet remains noble in its ruins. The great obelisk, and innumerable artistic remains, attest the former magnificence
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
Arlington
a town of Massachusetts in Middlesex co., on the Boston and Maine railroad. It is about 6 miles N. W. of Boston and is practically a suburb of that city. It has important manufactures of piano cases and machinery. Truck farming is also carried on extensively. The town has a public library, hospital, and other public buildings. It was settled in 1650. Pop. (1910) 11,187; (1920) 18,665.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
Arlington Heights
a range of hills in Fairfax co., Va., on the Potomac, opposite Washington. They were strongly fortified during the Civil War. Gen. Robert E. Lee had a residence here. The place is now the site of a National Soldiers' Cemetery.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
Arliss
GEORGE, an English actor, born in London in 1868. He was educated in that city and made his first appearance on the stage in 1887. In 1901 he toured America with Mrs. Patrick Campbell, and in the following year played with Blanche Bates. He was later leading man for Mrs. Fiske. He made a great success in the title rôles of "The Devil" and of "Disraeli." He was successful also in the play "Hamilton," 1917.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
Armadale
a novel by Wilkie Collins. See Collins
Only in Aiton's Encyclopedia
Armageddon
the great battlefield of the Old Testament, where the chief conflicts took place between the Israelites and their enemies-the tableland of Esdraelon in Galilee and Samaria, in the center of which stood the town Megiddo, on the site of the modern Lejjun; used figuratively in the Apocalypse to signify the place of "the battle of the to great day of God."
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia